The bad luck that has dogged Banbury's Derbyshire brothers throughout their first assault on the Radical Enduro Sportscar Championship, struck again, as a mechanical problem robbed them of a win in the final race of the season.

Adam, 27, and Jamie, 25, were second and were about to take the lead at Donington Park when a front suspension wishbone failed, putting them out of contention.

Although the mechanics got the car back out on the track, by then more than 12 minutes had gone and the brothers had lost to the race leaders.

They managed to claw back a lap-and-a-half, but were left contemplating what might have been.

Championship leaders Simon Moulton and Mick Mercer were also disappointed after going off the track, allowing Peter Mangion and Rob Garofall to snatch the title.

Adam Derbyshire, who was at the wheel of the Spirit Volkswagen car when the suspension collapsed, said: "This was the third race we've lost due to mechanical failure. Another time we were in the lead at Magny Cours when we were shunted off the track by an out of control back marker. I must admit there was a time on Sunday when I thought 'Why us?' But that's motorsport and there's no room for sour grapes."

Philip Derbyshire, managing director of Spirit Volkswagen, said: "One of the frustrations of the Radical Enduro Championship is the points system, which tends to reward mediocrity. The winner only gets a 14 per cent advantage over the second place pairing, whereas even the new F1 points scoring system gives a 25 per cent advantage."